GAME REPORT

Nadezhda End Qualifying Round With Big Win

Nadezhda will go into the next phase of the EuroLeague Women as one of the competition's hottest teams after blowing out Gorzow on Wednesday in their last Qualifying Round game.

Losers of three straight to start the campaign in Group D, Nadezhda rolled to an 89-37 victory over Gorzow.

The triumph was the club's fifth in seven EuroLeague Women games.

Becky Hammon had 23 points for Nadezhda

Tina Charles provided more evidence that she is one of the top players in the world, scoring 14 points and hauling down 15 rebounds.

Nadezhda also got a game-high 23 points from Becky Hammon, who buried five of seven shots from long range.

The Russian team led from start to finish.

When Charles made her first basket, a hook shot, two minutes into the game Nadezhda were on top 8-2.

When Hammon went in for a lay-up midway through the first frame, she had eight points and the lead was 19-7.

When point guard Elena Berseneva drilled a three-pointer with 32 seconds to go in the opening frame, the lead was 25-9 and the rout was on.

Vladimir Koloskov's team extended the advantage to 46-20 by half-time and at three-quarter time, Nadezhda had a 68-30 stranglehold on the contest with Hammon sitting on her 23 points.

By coming in fourth place, Nadezhda will not have a high seed but rest assured, this is a team that no one is going to want to face.

As for Gorzow, they had some bright moments this season.

A strong finish in Poland could see them book a return trip to the competition.

COACH QUOTES

Quotes NADEZHDA vs. KSSSE AZS-PWSZ GORZOW

Justyna Zurowska, Gorzow player:"Nadezhda today was stronger in all components of the game because of that and we've got a big gap in the account. We have tried to collect as many points in the game, but the defense of the hosts was very tough."

Dariusz Maciejewski, Gorzow head coach:"I want to congratulate the home team to a legitimate victory. I really liked the opponent and wish «Nadezhda» good luck in the playoffs of EuroLeague Women. But our team played not well, but it has its own objective reasons. We are experiencing serious financial difficulties because of this we lost a number of leading players on the team."

Rebekka Hammon, Nadezhda player: "Our team today played good basketball. We started the game, playing at 100%. In the last two games of my team attended my parents, who came from the USA to Orenburg. Their support in the match inspired me even more, in this connection my performance in today's match proved to be high.

Alexander Yermolinsky, Nadezhda assistant coach: "By today's match we came in not optimal composition. Because of a cold missing two of our leader Lyudmila Sapova and Anastasia Verameyenka. But in the end we played very good in defense and not allow the visiting team score more than 37 points."